Reducing Inequalities-inequalities

Reducing Health Inequalities for all New Zealanders
What are inequalities in health?

Health inequalities
Health inequalities can be defined as differences in health status or in the distribution of health determinants between different population groups that are avoidable or unjust. For example, differences in mortality rates between Māori and non-Māori or differences in cancer survival rates between Māori and non-Māori.

Health inequity
Health inequity is a health inequality that is unjust or unfair, for example the unequal distribution of resources. However, not all health inequities are unfair, for example younger people being healthier compared to elderly people.
References
P Braveman and S Gruskin “Defining equity in health”
J. Epidemiol.Community Health 2003; 57; 254-258 doi: 10. 1136/jech.57.4.254

What is the evidence of health inequalities?
Research indicates that the poorer you are the worse your health. In colonised countries, such as New Zealand, indigenous people have poorer health than others.

Understanding the nature and extent of health inequalities is fundamental to us taking appropriate action. Some helpful publications are available on the Ministry of Health's website:

Page last updated: 28 August 2007